BALFOUR’S RETURN

Gisborne Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6318, 22 February 1922, Page 5

BALFOUR’S RETURN

WELCOME HOME DINNER

■INVALUABLE WORK AT CON-

EERENCE,

STIRRING SPEECH BY AMERICAN AMBASSADOR.

(United Press Association—Copyright.)

(Received Eeb. 21, 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, Fob. 21. The Duke of York attended tne Pilgrims dinner in honor of Mr Balfour.

The American Ambassador poposed the toast of Mr Balfour's health.

Lord Curzon - said that with a. stroke of the pen the Washington Conference had reduced the British budget by £15,000,000. Mr Balfour had wielded the economic axe with a ruthlessness which might bring tears to the eyes of Sir Eric Geddcs. Air Harvey American Ainbassudor, in a striking speech which was loudly applauded, remarked that much had been said about hie sacrifices of the various Powers. The United States, however, made no sacrifices. She scrapped many costly battleships, abandoned vast jirojects and fortifications, and sniffed at Jier false pride of becoming the first naval power. Sbe snuffed out what was left or her great army. But all these doings involved no sacrifices. They constituted a boon. The reduced taxes released millions of money, transferred brawn and skill from floating slatfghter-houres to shops and factories for building homes and schools. Far from entailing any loss the sacrifice prodmed only gain to ourselves and the world. The greatest achievement of the Conference was the revelation of Britain to America, and America to Britain.

Air Balfour was prevented from speaking lor some time by the cheering. He paid a tribute to the work of the ~ Dominion representatives and declared the accomplishment of the Conference was immense. He did not agree with critics that some transactions at the Conference were inimical to the League of Nations.. The League could mm have done what the Conference hact done. The Conference was not only of advantage to the world’s peoples, but created a new bond of affection in regard to Britain and Amei’ca. —A. and N.Z.C.A.